Rare Birds In The Netherlands in 2015

This is the 36th annual report on rare birds in the Netherlands to be published in Dutch Birding. It comprises records from 2015 as well as belated and reconsidered records, dating back to 1845, which have been evaluated by the Dutch rarities committee, the Commissie Dwaalgasten Nederlandse Avifauna (CDNA). Several 2015 reports are still under review or awaiting submission and could therefore not be included. In addition, some reports for 2014 and earlier years are still under consideration for various reasons. The increase in records entered online on internet portals such as www.waarneming.nl reveals many new details about past records. For the sake of completeness, date extensions are presented in this report.

Details included for each record are, if available: date(s); location and/or municipality (municipal divisions as on 1 January 2016); province; number of birds if more than one, plumage and sex; type of record if ringed, photographed, sound-recorded, videoed or found dead (and where specimen is stored, if known); names of up to three observers involved in finding, identifying and recording, and relevant references in the literature, which normally include (inter)national but not regional journals, and published photographs. Records from 2014 lasting into 2015 that already have been published in the 2014 report (Haas et al 2015) are repeated here without reference. Observations not (yet) submitted but mentioned in the 2014 report are not repeated in this report. The sequence of the records in the species accounts is from the current year backwards, with records within one year presented chronologically. Numbers after each (sub)species’ name refer to the total number of individuals 1 from 1 January 1800 to 31 December 1979, 2 since 1 January 1980 but excluding 3 the current year. Taxa marked with an asterisk * are new to the Dutch list. As for the previous report, the CDNA, with the help of Edwin Russer, was able to trace date extensions for several records that have already been accepted. These changes are indicated in this report with # and overrule dates given in van den Berg & Bosman (2001) and annual reports of the CDNA published in 2002-15 (covering 2001-14); the previous dates are given between brackets. For the sake of compactness, detailed specifics and observer information of such records are not repeated.

The following CDNA members voted on some or all of the records in this report: Garry Bakker, Rob S A van Bemmelen, Sander Bot, Christian Brinkman, Nils van Duivendijk, Diederik Kok, James Lidster, Ies Meulmeester, Eddy Nieuwstraten, Arjan Ovaa, Willem van Rijswijk, Roy Slaterus, Vincent van der Spek and Rik Winters. Marcel Haas supported the committee as a non-voting archivist and assisted in submitting many reports published on national and regional websites. Reports can be submitted, preferably using the electronic submission form on www.dutchavifauna.nl or filling in this form after entering a record on www.waarneming.nl; www.dutchavifauna.nl contains all records of rare birds up to 2015 (cf Dutch Birding 34: 346, 2012). Here, also recently accepted records or rejected reports as well as reports currently under review are listed. Reports can also be sent by ordinary mail to CDNA, Karper 39, 1741 XX Schagen, the Netherlands.

In 2015, at least 367 species were recorded, which is two species below the average of 369 over the last 10 years (figure 1). This number may rise depending on pending reports. One species was new to the Dutch list in 2015: Thayer’s Gull Larus thayeri. Moltoni’s Warbler Sylvia subalpina was removed from the Dutch list after review. With these changes, the Dutch list now numbers 510 species. Other highlights for 2015 included the second Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis, third Asian Desert Warbler S nana, fourth Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe melanoleuca, eighth to 14th Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus, and ninth Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata, Franklin’s Gull L pipixcan, Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis and Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii. In addition, 2015 was a good year for Great Snipe Gallinago media (four records), Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes (five), Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (six), Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (78 individuals) and Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (five). Noteworthy records from earlier years include the third Red-tailed Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides (2014).

This record concerns a correction of the province. The species is no longer considered since 1 January 2015 but the CDNA still welcomes reports from before this date. The totals have been corrected compared with last year’s report.

There are now 46 records, including five in 1980-89, four in 1990-99, one in 2000-09 and four since 2010. All provinces have had their share but Noord-Holland and Gelderland have been most productive, with nine and seven records, respectively.

All sightings relate to the same fully winged individual which became very tame during the course of its long stay, especially after being fed fish on a daily basis at Callantsoog. Despite the heated discussions it provoked among birders (and committee members), the CDNA decided this was no reason to reject this record. Similar behaviour is well known from wild pelicans in the species’ normal range.

This bird was ‘found’ by a birder who had been checking photographs posted on the internet of wintering Common Sandpipers A hypoleucos for a while, after missing the previous Spotted Sandpiper in July 2011. This was the fourth record and the first in winter.

With several long-staying and wandering individuals in recent years, it is not easy to determine the exact number involved. The species has now been recorded in all months of the year and in all provinces except Limburg.

This bird was probably a Long-billed Dowitcher L scolopaceus but the description and photographs were not detailed enough to rule out Short-billed Dowitcher L griseus. Totals exclude individuals accepted to species level; there are now 40 records of Long-billed, none of Short-billed and seven of dowitchers not accepted at species level.

The only previous late autumn records were at Terneuzen on 3 November 1959, at Putten, Gelderland, from 31 October to 3 November 1963 and again at Terneuzen from 31 October to 7 November 1987. What is so special about Terneuzen in autumn...?

The 2015 individual was considered acceptable, following the strict criteria used by the CDNA with regard to the identification of this age-class (cf Altenburg et al 2011). The record in September 2014 concerns a correction of the municipality.

Gull identification is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some birders, however, have made it their expertise. This bird was discovered by a birder who had been looking intensively at gulls for many years. It stayed long enough in the area (among 1000s of other gulls) to be seen by many people. Consequently, it was documented extensively and accepted as the first for the Netherlands.

Kumlien’s Gull / Kumliens Meeuw

Larus glaucoides kumlieni 0,3,0

An adult at Bergen aan Zee, Noord-Holland, on 14-19 April (Dutch Birding 37: 208, plate 328-329, 2015) is still in circulation.

The species was not considered before 1982 and is no longer considered since 1 January 1993 and birds in northern Noord-Holland (where the species regularly stayed in summer) were not considered at all. The CDNA still welcomes reports from outside this period except from northern Noord-Holland.

Although numbers have shown an increase since 2009, six in one year is impressive. The species has now occurred in all provinces except Limburg and Overijssel. The individual on 3-5 August was the first in juvenile plumage. The bird at Emmadorp was also seen across the border in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Bearded Vulture / Lammergier

Gypaetus barbatus 0,0,0

An unringed and unmarked second calendar-year was seen at Holterberg, Overijssel, on 5 May, over Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen, Friesland, on 8 May and over Vierhuizen, Groningen, on 9 May (based on photographs, relating to one individual). This bird triggered the CDNA to re-open the discussion about the criteria for acceptance of records of this species, with regard to, eg, the increasing number of wild-bred young within the re-introduced population of the Alps (from where a few 10s of captive-bred ringed and wing-marked immatures have occured in western Europe in the last c 20 years). On 14 June, a captive-born second calendar-year (‘Schils’) was picked up alive at Midwoud, Noord-Holland, taken into care and brought back to Switzerland for release (see rejected reports; http://tinyurl.com/h22je8t).

Another excellent year, with three large flocks in June. The colour-ringed individual in July-August originated from Spain; it had stayed in a bird recovery centre near Madrid from 13 August 2014 to 11 January 2015.

The identification of spotted eagles requires good views and documentation. This bird was seen and photographed in flight and identified as a Lesser Spotted Eagle A pomarina. The CDNA was, however, not convinced that the description and photographs were detailed enough, especially when it comes to ruling out the genuine possibility of a hybrid. Totals exclude individuals accepted to species level.

This bird takes the total number of individuals flying past during the four-day period of 21-24 April 2011 to five. The species is no longer considered since 1 January 2012 but the CDNA still welcomes reports from before this date.

The inland provinces in the southern part of the country (Utrecht, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant and Limburg) account for more than half of all records. May is the best month with 10, followed by June with five. Since the long-staying individual in the summer of 1995, chances to catch up with this species have been few and far between.

Another example of the fact that rare birds can turn up almost anywhere. This bird was picked up as a window victim by pupils from the Apolloschool in a neighbourhood in Amsterdam. It was the first record for Noord-Holland and the westernmost so far.

The 69th record (totalling 73 individuals) and only the third since 1998. The bird stayed long enough to be enjoyed by a few 10s of birders. With 29 records, June is the best month, followed by May with 21.

This record was submitted as both Red-tailed Shrike L phoenicuroides and Daurian Shrike L isabellinus by two different observers, proving the difficulty of identifying these species. The CDNA could not decide to which species it belonged. Totals exclude individuals accepted to species level.

Three records in one year equal 1970 and 1998 and are only one record short of the four in 2013. May, June and September are typical months for this species, with 15, 13 and five records, respectively.

Masked Shrike / Maskerklauwier

Lanius nubicus 0,0,0

A first-year photographed on 2 November 2015 at Hoorn, Terschelling, Friesland (Dutch Birding 38: 123, plate 192, 2016), is still in circulation and will be the first for the Netherlands, if accepted.

This bird was previously accepted as Balearic Woodchat Shrike L s badius (Ebels 1997) but has been rejected after review (see Rejected reports). This species is no longer considered since 1 January 2003 but the CDNA still welcomes reports from before this date. Totals exclude Balearic Woodchat Shrike (one; see below).

Balearic Woodchat Shrike / Balearische Roodkopklauwier

Lanius senator badius 0,1,0

After review, the bird at Knardijk, Lelystad, Flevoland, on 5 June 1983 (Ebels 1997; Dutch Birding 5: 83, plate 69, 1983, 8: 9, plate 6, 1986, 19: 65, plate 66, 1997) has been rejected (see Rejected reports). This means that the bird at Voorhout, Zuid-Holland, on 6 June 1993 (Argeloo & Meijer 1997) becomes the first and, so far, only record of this subspecies. Totals exclude Woodchat Shrikes not accepted to subspecies or proven to be nominate L s senator.

This species was a common breeder through the 20th century but numbers have decreased dramatically in recent years. Since a couple of years, it no longer breeds successfully and migrants are rarely seen. As a consequence, CDNA decided to add this species to the list of species considered from 1 January 2015 (cf van Bemmelen & van Duivendijk 2015). The one in Den Bosch is the last known individual to hold a territory in the Netherlands.

Five records in one year is unprecedented; the previous record was 1995 with four. The two in July were the first for that month. Records have been in April (eight), May (22), June (three), July (two), August (one), September (four), October (eight) and November (five); one of the November birds stayed to winter (20 November 2007 to 21 January 2008).

The Franeker record was one of the latest ever, only pre-dated by the first, which was found dead on 2 November 1935. The Vlieland record is not only typical in timing (late September) but also in location (with nine out of a total of 24 having been found on this island).

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler / Pallas’ Boszanger

Phylloscopus proregulus 9,85,-

1996 # 25-26 October (was: 25 October), Vlieland, Friesland.

The species is no longer considered since 1 January 1997 but the CDNA still welcomes reports from before this date.

This bird was most welcome to a ‘new generation of birders’ because the previous one was in October 1994. Interestingly, it also came a year after the first African Desert Warbler S deserti. As so often with vagrants of particularly this species, it was ridiculously confiding and provided many visitors extremely close-up views.

This bird has quite a history: in 1987, when there was only one species recognized in this group, this bird was accepted as ‘just’ a ‘Subalpine Warbler’ sensu lato (Blankert et al 1988). In a first CDNA review in 2002, following the first taxonomic changes of subalpine warblers, it was reidentified and accepted as Moltoni’s Warbler S subalpina, mainly based on the description of its calls; no photographs or sound-recordings were available (van der Vliet et al 2002). In a new review of all subalpine warbler records (cf Wassink & CDNA 2014), the CDNA decided to review this record again. The original description from 1987 of a repeatedly given loud Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes-like krrr or tsrrr call did not convince the committee that the possibility of an Eastern Subalpine Warbler S cantillans producing a rattle-like call was fully eliminated. This review led to the removal of this species from the Dutch list and this record was re-accepted as ‘just’ a subalpine warbler once again.

This bird collided with a window and was brought to Natuurmuseum Tilburg, Tilburg, Noord-Brabant, where it was identified. The CDNA could not decide to which subspecies it belonged (S u undata or S u dartfordiensis), even with the bird in the hand, proving it can be quite difficult to assign the subspecific identity suggesting overlap in characters. Totals include individuals accepted to subspecies level.

After last year’s spring influx of singing birds, none were recorded this spring. The one on Schiermonnikoog was one of the latest ever; a trapped bird at Castricum in 2012 was seen from 3 to 9 November.

Zitting Cisticola / Graszanger

Cisticola juncidis -,47,-

2000 # 24 May to 2 September (was: 24 May to August), Ooltgensplaat, Goeree-Overflakkee, Zuid-Holland, photographed.

The ninth record but present only briefly. Birds have now been discovered in October (three), November (two), January, March, April and December (one).

Icelandic Redwing / IJslandse Koperwiek

Turdus iliacus coburni 0,1,0

The first record concerned a bird on Vlieland, Friesland, from 25 October to 4 November 2014. Probably fuelled by the increased interest for the identification criteria and probably helped by a genuine influx, there were 10s of reports in the winter of 2015/16, predominantly in coastal provinces and including several well-documented sightings. The CDNA has decided to ‘take a brake’ for this taxon, to further define the identification criteria (especially for less well-marked individuals) and, based on those findings, to establish if this taxon remains to be considered or if it is too ‘common’.

This bird had characters suggestive of Stejneger’s Stonechat S stejnegeri but without a DNA sample the CDNA could only accept it as maurus/stejnegeri. This record may be reviewed when there is a better understanding of the field identification of Stejneger’s. Totals exclude individuals accepted to species level.

The first twitchable one since a bird at Woerden, Utrecht, in January-February 2007. Luckily, on the first day, a sound-recording of this bird first presumed to be a Richard’s Pipit A richardi was heard by a committee member (!) who clinched the identification as Blyth’s Pipit. Thankfully, the bird was still present next day, allowing many visitors to see it.

The first record was in February 1962, so this was the first twitchable for all birders and was enjoyed by 100s of birders throughout its stay. It remained a long time, similar to many previous western European records, such as in Britain.

The first since 2008 and the first twitchable since 1996, so this bird proved very popular, despite being elusive at times. A female at Wilhelminadorp, Zeeland, from 15 December to 14 March 2016 (Dutch Birding 37: 114, plate 180, 117, plate 181, 133, plate 202, 2016; cf Hellquist 2016) is still in circulation.

The species is no longer considered since 1 January 2004 but the CDNA still welcomes reports from before this date.

Systematic list of rejected reports

This list contains all records not accepted by the CDNA. Records marked with @ were rejected by all committee members in the first or second voting. Most records were rejected because the identification was not fully established (often due to lack of documentation) or when the bird showed signs of captivity, such as dubious rings, excessive wear and/or aberrant behaviour.

Pechora Pipit / PetsjorapieperAnthus gustavi 20 October, Poterslid, Vlieland, Vlieland, Friesland, sound-recorded (@ although sonagrams of sound-recordings show strong resemblance to recordings of the species from, eg, South Korea, bird was observed only very briefly. No details of its appearance could be obtained, and it could not be ascertained whether a species of pipit was involved).

Lesser Scaup / Kleine TopperAythya affinis 16 January, Waterpark Oude Zeug, Hollands Kroon, Noord-Holland, male, photographed (previously accepted for this date but rejected after review; photographs show Greater Scaup A marila; up to two birds have been accepted for this locality from 18 March 2009 onwards).

Ross’s Goose / Ross’ GansAnser rossii 30 April, Waterland, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, two, adult, photographed (@ several features not quite right for this species which may indicate hybrid origin; besides, absence of rings not documented).

The CDNA wishes to thank Bram Rijksen who kindly provided the drawing of the Thayer’s Gull on p 419. The editors of Dutch Birding assisted in checking record details. August van Rijn kindly assisted the archivist in submitting records and/or gathering and checking record details. Jan van der Laan provided the total number of bird species recorded in 2015. Edwin Russer again took care of checking date extensions for records uploaded to www.waarneming.nl.